MV Ever Given incident - 23 March 2021

Statement by Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)

On April 1, 2021 IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said:

"I am extremely pleased that the MV Ever Given has been successfully refloated and that vessels are now able to resume their journeys through the Suez Canal. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Egypt, the Suez Canal Authority and the hardworking maritime professionals, in particular the salvage companies, involved in freeing the ship. It is because of collaborative efforts that this situation was resolved and the impact on global trade was kept to a minimum.

I also wish to thank the crews of the other vessels that were impacted by this incident for their patience. This past year has been extremely challenging for seafarers, but you have consistently demonstrated your dedication and resilience, and we are all grateful for your hard work.

I am looking forward to receiving information following the conclusion of the investigation into the factors leading to the grounding of the containership, so that any necessary action may be addressed by the Organization."

Previous statements:

On 26 March, 2021, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said:

“I offer my encouragement  to the Egyptian Authorities, as well as the salvors, tug and dredger operators and all other parties, who are working tirelessly to safely re-float the ship and resume transit through one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes as soon as possible. I appreciate the efforts of every individual involved. 

I am aware of the implications of the temporary closure of the canal, and I ask for patience from stakeholders across the supply chain as everyone works to ensure that the ship, its crew, its cargo and the environment remain protected. 

I look forward to receiving information from the investigation into the incident so that IMO can act on any appropriate recommendations derived from the findings.”